Frequently Asked Questions
This page offers answers to commonly asked questions regarding Ashurst Farm Feeds in general, and also some common questions to the feeding of Horses. Jump to Horse Feeding FAQ here...
General FAQ
- What are your opening hours?
- Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm. We are closed on Sundays.
- Do you offer a rug cleaning & repair service?
- Yes, and it's very popular. We have collections from the shop every Monday morning, and your rugs are returned sparkling clean the following Monday.
- Do you stock & sell Wormers?
- Yes. We stock a large range of Horse, Dog & Cat wormers, plus Frontline for Dogs & Cats to treat ticks & fleas.
- Can you offer advice on choosing & using Worming products?
- Yes. Currently we have one professionally qualified staff member who can legally sell & advise you on POM wormers, and are in the process of training more.
- What Horse Bedding does Ashurst Farm Feeds stock?
- We stock Hunter Woodshavings (which are #1 for quality & value for money) also Paper Bedding, Ecobed, Auboise, Bedmax, Nedz Pro, Hemcore and more. View our Horse Bedding pages...
- Will Ashurst Farm Feeds be at my local Horse Show or Equestrian event?
- Very possibly. We are 'getting out' more lately to offer safe fitting of Hats, Body Protectors & other protective equipment at shows, events and also riding schools too. Let us know if you'd like us to attend somewhere (but not too far from home please...!)
- I need a gift for a friend. What does Ashurst Farm Feeds have to offer?
- We stock many gifts and have a large selection for under £5 each. From party hats to luxury 'Country Scene' embroidered cushions - come & have a browse, and if you really can't find anything we also offer Gift Vouchers in £5, £10, and £15 denominations.
- Do you sell childrens riding equipment?
- Yes indeed. We have Johdpurs, Hats, Whips, Body Protectors, Socks, Boots and a lot more. View our rider pages...
- Can you order items that are NOT normally stocked in your shop?
- Yes. If any of our suppliers carry the item you need we will be happy to special order it for you.
- Will Ashurst Farm Feeds deliver?
- Yes. We offer a FREE local delivery service which you can read all about here...
- Do you offer fitting of Riding Hats & Body Protectors?
- Yes, all our staff are qualified to fit these items, including those by Woofwear, Charles Owen & Champion. View our rider pages to see our current stock.
- When is your next Equestrian Car Boot Sale?
- Our next event is provisionally planned for Sunday 22nd July 2007, but check our Notice Boards & Forums regularly for the latest information.
- Do you have any deals or products on offer at the moment?
- Yes of course. Check our dedicated Special Offers pages for the current deals, and remember they change on a monthly basis.
Horse Feeding FAQ
- If I am feeding a complete feed, does my horse need a vitamin supplement?
- If you are feeding at the manufacturers recommended levels then the answer is generally no. However if you are feeding below these levels for any reason, then a broad-spectrum vitamin & mineral supplement will be needed.
- My pony is prone to Laminitis. What can I feed safely to keep him healthy?
- There are many feeds available on the market to help cope with a laminitis-prone horse or pony. The main requirement is that the feed be high in digestible fibre combined with low starch & sugar levels. Look out for feeds approved by The Laminitis Trust.
- I am competing my horses regularly and feel they sometimes need more energy, but traditional Competition Mix makes them too excitable. What should I do?
- Try feeding a low starch, slow release energy cube. Combined with a high digestible fibre (such as Alfalfa) you should find your horses will have all the energy they need but without the excitability.
- My 25-year old pony is competing in showjumping & dressage and shows no signs of slowing down. However I am worried about keeping him in top condition for the future. How can I ensure he stays fit & healthy for as long as possible?
- Firstly your pony should have his teeth checked regularly to ensure his food can be chewed properly. If he loses or has already lost teeth, try soaking high-fibre cubes to make them softer for him. You may also find he starts having trouble eating long-stemmed hay, in which case replace all or part of the hay ration with a short-chop fibre. If he isn't experiencing any of the above problems then just make sure his feed levels are correct, and perhaps consider a specialist Veteran Feed containing elevated amounts of vitamins & minerals.
- I have just bought a new horse. What should I feed?
- Ideally keep him on his existing feed at first which should avoid digestive upsets. If you don't know his previous feed then start with a basic Horse & Pony Cube, or Mix & Chaff until he is settled. Once you know him well enough you can assess his feed requirements and change/supplement as needed depending on future useage.
- How do I know how much work my horse is doing, so I can feed accordingly?
- Leisure horses do light to medium work. Light work includes up to 90 mins hacking 1-4 times per week, light schooling & the occasional competition. Medium work would include 1-2 hours daily hacking, 30-60 mins daily schooling plus riding club competitions. Hard work would constitute higher levels of competition, 3-day eventing and of course racing. Always feed according to manufacturers recommendations, and add a broad-spectrum vitamin supplement if you have to feed below them.
- My youngster is naturally very fizzy, but loses weight easily. I've tried a standard conditioning mix but she got very excitable & naughty! What should I try next?
- For this complaint you need a conditioning feed with high levels of both digestible fibre & oil. Most conditioning feeds have a high digestible energy level, however oil is a great source of calories in slow-release form, so as to smooth & minimise any naughty outbursts due to the quick-release energy component. Many types of oil are available as supplements, however be sure to add a Vitamin E supplement too, which aids oil digestion.
